I am pleased to send you my Session Wrap Up e-newsletter. This
e-newsletter features events and legislative activities from the session week of
October 26, 2015.

If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website
www.senatorscotthutchinson.com for more information about your state
government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the
"unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the page. If you would like to contact my
office, please go to my web page and click the "contact" button. Please do not
"reply" directly to this e-mail.

Sincerely,

Scott

Senate Republicans Push Budget Veto Override Effort

Responding to growing pleas from schools and community groups to release
overdue state funding, Senate Republicans today led an effort to override
Governor Wolf’s veto of an emergency budget passed last month by the General
Assembly.

Senate leaders emphasized that the override would have provided badly needed
funding while negotiations continue on a final budget agreement. The override
required a two-thirds majority, or 33 votes. While all 30 Republican Senators
voted for the measure, the emergency funding veto override vote received no
Democrat support.

The citizens of Pennsylvania want us to live within our means and pass a
budget that does not take all of the money out of their pockets. They want us to
act responsibly to take the tax dollars that are already being collected and get
those out the door to needy services like education, rape crisis centers and
child care centers that are being forced to borrow money because of
disagreements in Harrisburg.

We had a chance to vote and send money out the door, but unfortunately that
failed and that is very frustrating to those of us who want to help those
organizations on the street with the money we have today.

Hours before the vote, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale told members of the
Senate Democrat Policy Committee that the lack of state funding is having a
devastating financial impact on schools throughout Pennsylvania. School
districts have already borrowed nearly a half-billion dollars – plus interest
payments of $15 million – because of the budget impasse, and that number may
double by Thanksgiving.

Our schools are really at the end of their cash. Many are going to banks as
we speak, getting ready for lines of credit. I am hearing a lot from other
social services agencies that rely on state government money. Nobody is
disputing that they deserve that money, but unfortunately it is unable to get
out the door unless we pass this emergency funding bill.

The vote marked the fifth time since June 30 that the legislature has
attempted to have a fiscally responsible budget enacted and keep money flowing
to schools and organizations.

Click for videoof my comments on the budget impasse and the veto override.

Special Committee to Study Possible Senate Action Against
Attorney General

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati appointed six Senators on Monday to
serve on a Special Committee to pursue possible Senate action against Attorney
General Kane, pursuant to Article 6, Section 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Senator John R. Gordner was named Chairman of the Special Committee on Senate
Address. The Committee is bi-partisan and geographically diverse. Republicans
include Senators Gordner, Lisa Baker and Gene Yaw. Democratic members include
Senators Judy Schwank, Sean Wiley and Art Haywood. Senator Scarnati will serve
as a voting ex-officio member.

The scope of the committee is to investigate whether Attorney General
Kathleen Kane can continue to do her job with a suspended law license. If it
determines she cannot, that finding may be grounds for the Senate to utilize its
rarely-tapped constitutional power of removal.

The Committee will issue a written report with its preliminary findings to
the full Senate within 30 days.

Local Government Committee Approves Sanctuary Cities Bill

The Senate Local Government Committee, which I chair, approved legislation on
Wednesday that would attempt to prevent municipalities from hindering federal
efforts to detain illegal immigrants who pose a danger to Pennsylvania
communities.

Senate Bill 997targets “sanctuary cities” that refuse to honor
detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for persons of
interest who are arrested by local authorities. The measure now goes to the full
Senate for consideration.

Under the bill, governing bodies such as counties or municipalities would be
prohibited from adopting rules or ordinances that contradict federal immigration
policy. Municipalities that do not enforce federal immigration policy would not
be eligible for state grants for law enforcement purposes and could be sued for
negligence for releasing an individual with a detainer who subsequently
committed another crime.

The issue gained national attention when San Francisco resident Kathryn
Steinle was shot by Francisco Sanchez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico with
seven felony convictions who has been deported five times. Due to the
municipality’s policy not to report Sanchez’s incarceration to the appropriate
federal agency, he was promptly released just prior to Steinle’s murder.

Senate Bill 341prohibits a conflict of interest by a member of a
municipal authority in the award of any contract or agreement and empowers
appropriate agencies with enforcement and prosecutorial powers.

Senate Bill 342amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to
restrict the use of interest-rate management agreements, otherwise known as
"swaps."

Senate Bill 343enacts the First Class City and County Interest
Rate Management Agreement Act restricting the use of interest-rate management
agreements, otherwise known as "swaps."

Senate Bill 344amends the Public Works Contractors' Bond Law of
1967 to insure one hundred percent project performance security for local
governments.

Union Intimidation Bill Sent to Governor’s Desk

The House concurred Tuesday on Senate amendments to legislation that would
prohibit harassment, stalking or making threats by parties involved in a labor
dispute.
House Bill 874now goes to the Governor’s desk.

The measure does not impact unions engaged in lawful disputes or protests,
but addresses issues in previous labor disputes in which violent protests by the
union workers ensued, including intimidation and harassment in the form of
physical abuse of on-site contractors and property damage.

The measure is supported by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association,
Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’
Association.

Utility Worker Protection Bill Headed to Governor

The Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a measure that would add utility
workers, either from a municipal government or private company, to the list of
protected workers during disaster emergencies.
Senate Bill 765now goes to the Governor for his signature and
enactment into law.

Currently, state law provides additional protection for first responders,
highway maintenance and construction workers and tow truck operators during
emergencies. Motorists are required to travel cautiously at reduced speeds and
carefully follow traffic markers, road flares, signs, or directions of emergency
responders.

Additionally, emergency service responders may file a written report with the
police officer upon observing a violation. Violators may be fined up to $500 per
offense and pay restitution costs if warranted.

Also receiving final legislative approval this week was
Senate Bill 77, which provides regulatory relief for the beagle
trainers.

Bill Expedites Deadline for Addressing Code Violations

The Senate approved a measure on Wednesday that would bolster municipal
efforts to combat blight in their communities.

Senate Bill 942requires the purchaser of any building known to
have one or more substantial code violations to bring it into compliance or
demolish it within 12 months of the date of purchase. Under current law, the
purchaser has up to 18 months to correct the violations or demolish the
building.

The Senate approved two additional bills this week.

Senate Bill 526amends the Second Class Township Code to change the
deadlines for completing and publishing the Annual Township Report and Financial
Statement.